Method, device system and computer program system for processing document data

ABSTRACT

In a method and system for processing document data in a document processing system that comprises at least a document generation computer, a document processing computer, an electronic document output system, and a monitoring computer, document data are generated on the document generation computer. The document data are transmitted from the document generation computer to a processing computer. To optimize control of a subsequent data output, control data are added to the transmitted document data in the processing computer with a processing module, and the control data are additionally stored in a control data buffer file. The processed data are forwarded to an output system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is related to another application of thesame inventors filed on even date herewith: “METHOD, EQUIPMENT SYSTEMAND COMPUTER PROGRAM SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING DOCUMENT DATA”, José La RosaDucato and Hartwig Schwier, inventors—Case No. P03,0458 and “METHOD,EQUIPMENT SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING DOCUMENTDATA”, Martin Silbersack and André Kouptchinsky—Case No. P03,0459.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention concerns a method, a device system and a computerprogram system to process document data. In particular, it concerns amethod and systems to process a print data stream that is prepared foroutput on an output device such as, for example, a print device or anelectronic mailing system (email system). In electronic high-capacityprinting systems, such a preparation typically occurs on computers thatprocess the print files or print data from application programs suchthat they are adapted for the printer. The print data are thereby, forexample, processed as an output data stream of a specific print datalanguage such as AFP (Advanced Function Presentation), PCL (PrinterCommand Language) or PostScript.

[0003] In mainframe centers, print data are typically collected(spooling event) in a host computer (main frame), and print jobs (jobs)are generated from them that are adapted for output on high-capacityprinting systems such that, in the production operation, thehigh-capacity printing systems can be temporally, optimally operated atfull capacity. They can thereby largely be used in continuous operation.

[0004] Such high-capacity printing systems, with print speeds ofapproximately 40 DIN A 4 pages per minute up to over 1000 DIN A 4 pagesper minute, are, for example, specified in the publication “DasDruckerbuch”, published by Dr. Gerd Goldmann (Océ Printing SystemsGmbH), edition 4C, October 1999, ISBN 3-000-00 1019-X. In chapter 12(pages 12-1 through 12-18) of this publication, the print server systemknown under the same PRISMA PRO® is specified which serves in productionprinting environments to prepare print data streams.

[0005] In chapter 14 of the same book, a production monitoring andchecking system is specified under the title “Océ Domain”, in which adocument production process is planned, monitored and controlled. Thesystem checks the production of documents and thereby monitors whetherthe documents is are correctly printed, and checks the print quality inthe course of the further processing—for example in a cutting device, anenvelope device, and/or a device for mailing—for correct processing.Given interruptions, the system automatically initiates the reprint of areplacement document and the elimination of the document processedincorrectly, such that a continuous process checking of the generationof the document in an electronic system, for example an applicationprogram on a computer, is ensured until the conclusion of the productionprocess, for example via the provision of the document for mailing.

[0006] To control and monitor the document production event, in thesystem cited above a plurality of computer-controlled components, whatare known as managers, are provided that administer various monitoringor control tasks in the document production event. In what is known as asystem manager, operation data of the overall printing process orpreprocessing and post-processing process are recorded. All routinginformation in the implementation of the document production job, forexample the number, size and parameters of the jobs to be processed,their degree of completion and duration, are thereby determined, and thedevices with which the jobs were processed are recorded.

[0007] Machine data of the document production system are registeredwith what is known as the device manager. Static machine data, such as,for example, the device identification, its serial number, version orcontrol software, etc., are thereby entered once into a databank.Dynamic machine data that are continually recorded during the operationof the device, for example current device settings, error notificationsand capacity data (counter readings, clock speeds and so forth), arethereby provided on an ongoing basis with a corresponding time stamp andlikewise recorded in the databank. Using these data, device evaluationsfor individual devices or device groups can then occur, for exampleworkload reports, error reports or capacity reports can be generated.Such data or reports can then be exported via an applicationprogram-specific interface (application program interface, API) intoother systems suitable for evaluation.

[0008] A typical print data format in electronic production printingenvironments is the format AFP (Advanced Function Presentation), which,for example, is specified in the publication Nr. F-544-3884-01 by thecompany International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) with the title “AFPProgramming Guide and Line Data Reference”. In this publication, thespecification for a further data stream with the designation “S/370Line-Mode Data” is also specified. The print data stream AFP was furtherdeveloped into the print data stream MO:DCA, which is specified in theIBM publication SC31-6802-04 with the title “Mixed Object DocumentContent Architecture Reference”. Details of this data stream, inparticular the use of structured fields, are specified in U.S. Pat. No.5,768,488.

[0009] The program that was known under the designation ACIF, with whichit is possible to index and to convert print data streams, was achievedby the company IBM. The ACIF application is specified in the IBMbrochure G544-3824-00 with the title “Conversion and indexing facilityapplication programming guide” as well as in the IBM brochure Nr.S544-5285-00 with the designation “AFP conversion and indexing facility(ACIF) user's guide”.

[0010] In WO-A1-00/49489, a method to operate a print system underproduction conditions is specified in which a plurality of print devicesand additional devices are coupled with control computers, and in whichcontrol information is exchanged between the devices and the computers.

[0011] In WO-A1-00/68877, a method and a system are specified with whichprint data are provided for printing in a logical sequence correspondingto a signature.

[0012] In WO 01/77807 A2 (Int. Anm. Nr. PCT/EP01/04556), a method and adevice system are specified with which large print data streams (underthe circumstances comprising multiple thousand print pages) areprocessed for an output with high speed under print productionconditions. The print data streams are thereby converted into anormalized data format, the data subsequently indexed and resorted bymeans of the index thereby generated by means of predeterminedparameters, such that they are adapted and/or optimized for speed withregard to their print sequence for subsequent processing steps.

[0013] Methods and systems are specified in WO 02/19182 with which adocument production process can be implemented time-optimized in ahigh-speed printing system.

[0014] A monitoring system is specified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,967 Awith which generated print stock is checked with regard to its integritywith the data provided for printing.

[0015] A document production and processing system for what are known asmail pieces (mail sales shipments) is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,132A.

[0016] A system to measure the stack height in a mailbox grain of aprinter used mutually by a plurality of users is known from DE 696 11649 T2.

[0017] Further document production and processing systems are known fromU.S. Pat. No. 5,768,488 A, DE 692 30 653 T2, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,333A.

[0018] The contents of all of the publications and patent applicationscited above are hereby included by reference in the presentspecification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] It is an object of the invention to specify a method, a devicesystem and a computer program system with which the processing ofdocument data for output of the data to an output device is possible, inparticular with high speed under production conditions.

[0020] In a method and system for processing document data in a documentprocessing system that comprises at least a document generationcomputer, a document processing computer, an electronic document outputsystem, and a monitoring computer, document data are generated on thedocument generation computer with a document generation module. Thedocument data are transmitted from the document generation computer tothe processing computer and the document data are processed there. Tooptimize control of a subsequent data output, control data are added tothe transmitted document data in the processing computer with aprocessing module, and the control data are additionally stored in acontrol data buffer file. The processed data are forwarded to an outputsystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates a production system to print document data;

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates components of a monitoring device;

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates work flows in a document production system;

[0024]FIG. 4 illustrates various processing steps and file structures inthe processing of document data;

[0025]FIG. 5 illustrates detailed work steps to generate the documentfiles shown in FIG. 4;

[0026]FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed flow chart for processing ofdocument data streams according to FIG. 5;

[0027]FIG. 7 illustrates an overview of various work flows in a documentprocessing system;

[0028]FIG. 8 illustrates work flows in a print production system;

[0029]FIG. 9 illustrates work flows for reproduction of documents in aprint production system;

[0030]FIG. 10 illustrates the resorting of mail pieces;

[0031]FIG. 11 illustrates various software/system modules for productionmonitoring that are installed scanning devices and are functionallycoupled;

[0032]FIG. 12 illustrates a document service program;

[0033]FIG. 13 illustrates the menu structure of a barcode readingsystem;

[0034]FIG. 14 illustrates a system structure for a monitoring system;

[0035]FIG. 15 illustrates a display window to monitor print jobs anddevices;

[0036]FIG. 16 illustrates an example for the cooperation of variouscomponents for information of the user;

[0037]FIG. 17 illustrates a monitoring system for print post-processingdevices; and

[0038]FIG. 18 illustrates a display menu for document search.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0039] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principlesof the invention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodimentillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations andfurther modifications in the illustrated device, and/or method, and suchfurther applications of the principles of the invention as illustratedtherein being contemplated as would normally occur now or in the futureto one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0040] According to a first aspect of the preferred embodiment, documentdata in a document processing system (that comprises at least onedocument generation computer, a document processing computer, anelectronic document output system such as, for example, a print deviceor an e-mail system, as well as a monitoring computer) are produced bymeans of a document generation module on the document generationcomputer. The document data are then transmitted from the documentgeneration computer to a processing computer and are there processedfurther. In the course of this further processing, control data areautomatically added by means of a processing module to the transmitteddocument data, and the control data are additionally stored in a controldata buffer file separate from the document data stream. The storageoccurs in particular in the processing computer, however the file canalso be transmitted and in particular copied, onto the monitoringcomputer.

[0041] The control data are in particular added to or associated withthe document data in the processing computer, in particularrange-by-range, and in the output with output printing stock or printedout in the course of a printing, at least range-by-range, oncorresponding printing stock. Within a print job that can comprisemultiple thousand pages, such range-by-range data can be associated witha predetermined range of the hierarchy, for example with a document thatcan comprise a plurality of pages, what is known as a mail piece, thatcomprises one or more documents, a sheet that comprises one or twopages, or also an individual page. These data ranges organizedhierarchically in the document data stream or print job can be adaptedto the respective production process via the additional control dataand, given the control of the subsequent document output in a printingsystem with corresponding post-processing systems such as a cuttingdevice, envelope devices etc., can in particular be at least logicallyconnected for optimization of the overall process. The control databuffer file also serves in particular for this, which for this can beused to utilize the control data, for example barcodes, to generate anominal list. The nominal list is in particular compared with monitoringdata which are recorded in the post-processing processing stations (forexample in the printer or in the inserter). The printed control data arethereby completely or semi-automatically read off from the respectiveprint stock and transmitted to the monitoring device. This monitors theoverall production process as to whether all documents, mail piecesand/or pages are output completely and error-free. This can go so far asthat the delivery of the documents, whether transmitted in printedmanner or in another manner, is recorded at an end customer a globe awayby means of an electronic connection network.

[0042] In advantageous exemplary embodiments, in the processing computerfurther additional files (in particular an extraction file, also formedas an analysis file) are determined and stored that comprise data whichwere selectively determined from the print data stream by means ofpredetermined extraction rules, or also static data with regard topredetermined analysis parameters (such as, for example, total pagenumber of a job).

[0043] Within a document output system that, for example, processes datain the AFP format, the processing occurs in a relatively advanced stageof the document processing, in that the complete data stream standsshortly before its output to an output system (e-mail dispatch system,printing system). The data processing events are in particularimplemented directly before, after, or together with a sorting of thedata stream according to a predetermined sorting sequence, for exampleaccording to postal codes, names and/or customer numbers.

[0044] According to a second aspect of the preferred embodiment, thatcan also be viewed as independent of the first aspect, in a documentprocessing system that substantially comprises the same computer anddevices as the document processing system of the first aspect, thedocument data are again transmitted from the document generationcomputer to a processing computer and are processed there. The datastream is also manipulated in the processing computer in this aspect ofthe invention; however, in this aspect, before the document outputcontrol data are largely automatically added to or removed from thedocument data stream by means of a processing module. The processingmodule thereby decides relatively independently whether control datathat are comprised in the input document data stream are no longernecessary for the further processing, and therefore can be removed,and/or whether additional control data, in particular barcode data that,as in the first aspect, can serve for this to logically combineindividual ranges within the document data stream, such that theirfurther processing in the output system can be further processed withhigh performance (with greater speed and high processing security).

[0045] In the second aspect, in the processing computer a control bufferfile whose content corresponds to the added control data, as well as adocument buffer file in which the document data substantial for theoutput process (printing process) are comprised, are formed and storedby a control service program. The buffer files in particular enable thenecessary new provisioning of the document data to be implemented withhigher performance given an error in the output system. As soon as it isestablished by the monitoring computer (using the control data availableto it) that an error has occurred in the document output, it can give aconfirmation to the processing computer that can immediately reproduceand newly supply to the output system (reprint) the correspondingdocument data using the stored control data and the document bufferfile, without temporal delay.

[0046] According to the second aspect, in particular given the reductionof the print data stream by unnecessary control information, a datacompaction or data compression can be achieved without influencing theprint data relevant for the printing. For the further print process,unnecessary data can thus easily be filtered out and the data stream canthus be reduced by unnecessary data. On the other hand, the desiredsupplementation of control information, whose structure and/or contentare adapted to the subsequent output process or to the requirements ofthe output devices participating therein, effects a further improvementof the production process. The inclusion of barcodes is in particularadvantageous for the output of mail pieces that are assembled fromvarious individual pages originating within the input data stream. Thisis then notably valid when the data stream is additionally resorted inthe processing computer, such that the resorted data stream transmittedto the output system are likewise adapted to the output systems, forexample in that various documents or, respectively, pages that should bemerged into a mail piece are already supplied in the print data streamin successive sequence to the output system, and thus are printed outone directly after another.

[0047] According to a third aspect of the preferred embodiment, thatlikewise concerns a document processing system of the type cited abovebut that can be viewed as independent of both other previously citedaspects, in the processing computer control data are added to thedocument data, such that in the subsequent processing steps, inparticular given the output of the document, the documents can beprocessed separately, segment by segment. Such data can, for example, bebarcodes that in particular are respectively inserted at the beginningand at the end of the corresponding segment of the data stream. Again,pages, sheets, documents and mail pieces are suitable as segments.Additionally or alternatively, other segmentation criteria, such as, forexample, a maximum number of total pages, can be selected. Via such asegment-by-segment processing in the output region, a batch processingcan be achieved via which in particular large print jobs with multiplethousand pages are above all easier to process when these require amanual intermediate step. The segments can then be selected such thatthey do not exceed a specific foliation, whereby the segmentation inparticular occurs fully automatically according to predeterminedsegmentation rules. For this, the processing computer comprises aprocessing module that examines the input document data andautomatically inserts the corresponding control data, respectively atthe beginning and at the end of the segment. The document data arehereby analyzed job by job with regard to their size, and a job issegmented into at least two partial jobs when it respectively exceeds apredetermined size. The batch data are inserted into the data streamover the beginning, the end and/or over the extent of the partial job.These can also be printed out and, in the later processing, inparticular with automatic reading devices, be recorded from the printeddocuments both at the beginning of the segment and at the end of thesegment. The specification of at least two of the segmentation data“beginning”, “end”, and “extent” then allows a sure reading andprocessing of the segments, even when the generated print stock arestacked on top of one another, and therefore only data from theuppermost document of the stack are recordable.

[0048] According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, a barcode readingdevice comprising a device (for example IR transmission or radioantenna) for a wireless data transmission to a control unit is providedas a data recording device that is connected via the control unit withthe monitoring computer. Furthermore, it is thereby advantageous whenthe barcode reading device additionally comprises an input unit(keyboard, touch screen, display) via which control commands aredirectly transmittable from the hand barcode reader to the monitoringcomputer. The possibility thereby opens up that operating personnel thatmust effect manual workings with the printed materials can havecontrolling access to the monitoring computer via input of commands and,as the case may be, via this even to all of the components involved inthe print production process, from document generation module toshipping machines.

[0049] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, thatlikewise concerns a document processing system of the type cited above,and also can be viewed as independent of both other previously citedaspects, a document search system is specified with which documents arelocalizable, in particular in a print production system. For this, acentral document service control is provided that records diversecontrol data generated in a production-technical manner, and which makesthese data available for the document search, both centrally and alsodecentrally.

[0050] With the preferred embodiment, it is from now on possible in aprint production line to document-precisely track and newly printreproductions (what are known as reprints) that, for example, arenecessary due to incorrect printing or incorrect post-processing (wrongfolding, wrong cutting, wrong enveloping, document damage, etc.). Thefully automatic and system-spanning tracking of the reprint documentsthereby occurs. Thus the specifications for reproduction jobs can bemade available in all devices that have a direct or indirect connectionto the central monitoring computer. This is in particular true fordevice that further process the documents after the printing. Thedocuments are thereby electronically tracked by one of the connectedcomputers, for example by the monitoring computer and/or by theprocessing computer.

[0051] A document print production system 1 is shown in FIG. 1 that, onthe one hand, comprises a mainframe architecture 2, and on the otherhand comprises a network architecture 5 in which respectively documentdata or document print data streams are generated by means ofapplication programs (tools). In the mainframe architecture 2, theseprint data are generated by a host computer 3, in particular as an AFPprint data stream or as a line print data stream. The print data canalternatively be directly transmitted via what is known as an S/370channel 14 a directly from the host computer 3 to one or more printdevices 6 a, 6 b. Alternative to this output channel, the print data canalso be transmitted via a network 13 or a direct data connection 14 bfrom the host computer 3 to a processing computer 4, in which the printdata are buffered (for example, in an associated file server) andprocessed for subsequent output steps. In such host computers 3, inparticular print data streams are generated that assemble regular listprintouts, bills, usage summaries (for telephone bills, gas bills, bankaccounts) etc. from larger data stocks (databanks). Such applicationshave already frequently been in use for many years and are stillnecessary in a more or less unchanged manner (what are known as legacyapplications).

[0052] The print production flow is monitored by a monitoring systemwithin the mainframe architecture 2. It comprises a monitoring computer7 that is coupled with a databank 7 b and comprises various computerprogram modules 7 c (compare FIG. 2).

[0053] The monitoring system is connected via a device control network15 and a print manager module 8 with the host computer 3, as well as viaa converter 9 with a V24 data line that connects to both print devices 6a, 6 b. The converter 9 converts the V24 signals into DMI protocolsignals of the device control network 15. SNMP protocol signals can beprovided to the device manager DM converted as a DMI protocol signals orcan be directly transferred as SNMP protocol signals.

[0054] Print stock 23 that was generated in the printers 6 a, 6 b fromthe document print data stream and on which barcodes are printed can bescanned with a manually movable, radio-controlled barcode reader 11 a.The signals are transmitted via radio to the reading station 10 a andtransmitted on the device control network 15 or to the monitoring system7. Readers for one-dimensional and/or two-dimensional barcodes can beused as barcode readers, such that various barcode systems can be readwith one and the same reading devices. The barcode reading system is inparticular configurable, meaning applicable to variousapplication-specific check methods or, respectively, the respectivelysuitable check methods.

[0055] In the network architecture 5, document data are generated bymeans of application programs on client computers 12, 12 a that areconnected among one another via a client network 13, as well as with theprocessing computer (file server) 4. The file server serves as a centralprocessing and treatment interface for print data of the entire printproduction system 1. Diverse control modules (software programs) run onit, via which the entire print production flow or the entire documentprocessing is optimally adapted (in terms of application specifications,technical production, and device control) to the respective conditions.

[0056] In the processing computer 4, in particular the followingfunctions are implemented that are more precisely specified inconnection with the subsequent figures:

[0057] 1. Converting Indexing Sorting

[0058] In this function, input print data are converted to a uniformdata format, indexed according to predetermined parameters, and resortedin a predetermined sorting sequence. This enables, in particular for thesubsequent document output, optimized resorting of the data stream, forexample the merging of various pages that do not follow in sequence inthe input data stream, such that, for example, they can be enveloped inan enveloping device 22 b together with a letter mailing.

[0059] 2. Inclusion of Control Information

[0060] In this function, control information, in particular barcodes,are introduced into the data stream, using which a belonging data group(for example page, sheet, document, mail piece) is recognizable as suchand can be distinctly localized on the various processing stations inthe production process.

[0061] 3. Data Reduction

[0062] With this function, control data that were supplied in the inputdata stream from the host computer 3 or, respectively, applicationcomputer 12 to the processing computer 4 can be filtered to the effectthat such control data that are unnecessary in the given overall systemarrangement are removed. Via the connection of all involved outputdevices (printers 6 a through 6 d, cutting device (cutter) 22 a,enveloping device 22 b) via the device control network 15, it canalready be decided in the processing computer 4 which control data ofthe input data stream is required by none of the connected devices. Viaremoval of this data from the data stream, the data stream can bereduced overall, in particular when only empty field entries forcorresponding control data are comprised in the input data stream.

[0063] 4. Extraction

[0064] With this function, predetermined data can be filtered oreliminated from the output data stream, whereby a compressed data stream(compacted data) occurs, in particular for control and status data thatcan be exchanged with very high speed between the participating devicesand the monitoring computer. It is hereby possible to implement themonitoring of the participating devices in real-time.

[0065] 5. Duplicate Printing (Reprint)

[0066] When, in the course of a further processing of the data, inparticular given the output of the data to one of the print devices 6 a,6 b, 6 c or 6 d, to one of the post-processing devices 22 a, 22 b oralso to the print server 16, an error occurs, this can be determined viathe monitoring system 7 using the control barcodes inserted in theprocessing computer 4, and the reprint of the documents (pages, sheets,mail pieces) affected by the disruption can be requested. This duplicateprinting request is significantly controlled in the processing computer4.

[0067] Print data that were completed by the processing computer 4 aresupplied via the print data line 14 c to the print server 16. Its taskis then, for the most part, to relieve the processing computer 4. Thisoccurs via buffer storage of the completed print data until their recallvia the data line 14 d to one or both printers 6 c, 6 d. The printserver 16 is thus integrated into the overall system, primarily forreasons of performance. Given systems whose print speed is less great,the print server 16 can also be foregone.

[0068] Document data that are transmitted to the printers 6 c or 6 b,and are there printed on a recording medium (for example paper), aresubjected in the overall system to further processing stages, namely thefurther processing of the cutter 22 a and the enveloping device 22 b.The print production process is thus finished.

[0069] The printed documents are tested with regard to various criteriaon their processing path between the respective print devices 6 a, 6 b,6 c or 6 d and the last post-processing device 22 b, namely via anoptical test system 18 with regard to their optical print quality, witha barcode test system 19 with regard to their existence, theirconsistency and/or their sequence, as well as with an MICR test system,insofar as the print was printed by means of magnetically readable toner(magnetic ink character recognition toner). The data of the various testsystems supplied by the measurement system 17 are transmitted from acommon serial data recording module (serial delta acquisition module) 21to the device control network 15 and are supplied to the monitoringsystem 7. There the respective system data are recorded and the devicesare checked in real-time, and the respective positions of the documentsare tested concerning their correctness with regard to the print job.

[0070] Further details of such a measurement system 17 are specified inU.S. Pat. No. 6,137,967. The content of this patent is hereby includedby reference in the present specification.

[0071] The finished printed documents 23 can again be recorded with abarcode reader 11 b that, for example, is connected radio-controlledwith a corresponding control device 10 b, which in turn supplies itsdata to the monitoring system 7 via the device control network 15.

[0072]FIG. 2 shows system components that are implemented within themonitoring system in the form of computer program modules (software)and/or hardware elements. As long as they are designated identically toelements of WO 02/19182 cited above, they also perform substantially thesame functions. The content of this publication, in particularspecifications of the components device manager, system manager andprint manager, are hereby included by reference in the presentspecification.

[0073] The device manager 35 primarily performs the task of recordingmachine data of the participating devices of the document productionsystem. Both static and dynamic machine data are thereby stored in theoverall monitoring file 9, as the case may be with specification of thepoint in time claimed for a specific event. The respective checkingdevices supply their corresponding machine data in a correspondingformat event by event or file by file (see FIG. 7). The device manager35 monitors all devices participating in the document production event.

[0074] The system manager 36 records all information occurring with theexecution of a document production job, for example the number, the sizeand the parameters of the jobs to be processed, their degree ofcompletion and duration, as well as the allocation of the devices onwhich the document production event is processed. The entire documentproduction process can thus be monitored and controlled from thegeneration of the production job to its completion. The operation dataon the one hand comprise job data of an entire production job, in whicha plurality of individual mailings and/or documents are comprised. Onthe other hand, the operation data also record data document bydocument, as well as characterizing data of individual pages that areassociated with a document as identification. Such document by documentdata are generated, for example, in a first work step, in particularprinted on the document as a barcode and newly read and recorded in alater processing step.

[0075] Respectively associated with a document production job is a file,what is known as a job ticket, in which the job data significant for therespective job are filed. The job data can thereby be provided bothelectronically via the system generating the job, for example on theprint server 16 or on the host computer 3, or can be read in viamachine-controlled reading methods from printed recording media in theform of barcodes, OCR scripts (optical character recognition) or MICRscripts (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition).

[0076] With the system manager 36, it is thus on the one hand possibleto track the production progress of a job or document (trackingfunction) in which data are recorded at various check points over thetraversing jobs, documents or pages via distinct identification numbersand are transmitted to the monitoring system. A comparison of the actualdata with predetermined nominal data of the job can be implemented, andduplicate incorrect or missing jobs, documents or pages can berecognized and noted. Furthermore, an integrity check can be implementedin which the data specified by the individual check devices are checkedamong one another with regard to their data integrity. Furthermore, thesystem manager 36 can deliver direct commands to the processing computer4, the respective print device and/or to the host computer 3 via asimple graphical user interface. For this, it is in particular providedto also integrate the job generator into the system manager 36.

[0077] With the reprint manager 37, a nominal list is already generatedin the job collector 23 (spooler) for all documents of the productionjob, and later the actual production progress is compared with thisnominal list. As soon as a document was not processed or was justprocessed incorrectly, a notice to reprint this document is generatedand the reprint can occur automatically or upon request by an operatingpersonnel. The reprint manager controls the reprint event.

[0078] The print manager 38 and the reprint manager 37 are moreover inthe position to monitor the production progress spanning devices. Forexample, they generate a stop signal when a mailing or a documentappears twice at a print post-processing device. In particular givenenveloping devices, a mailing or a document may not appear twice. Forthis, all mailings that are processed at inserters are compared with thealready processed mailings or documents of all inserters, and, given amatch, a stop signal is sent to the inserter at which the document newlyappeared (see also FIG. 17).

[0079] The print manager 38 is the control connector between monitoringsystem 7, host computer 3, spooler 24 and print devices 6 a, 6 b, 6 cor, respectively, 6 d. It serves on the one hand to control theprocesses in the host computer 3, and on the other hand collects spoolinformation from the spooler 24 for control of the process and for thejob tracking. Furthermore, it can deliver direct commands to therespective print device and/or to the host computer 3 via a simplegraphical user interface.

[0080] The verification manager 39 serves to monitor the print quality;for this, it can in particular cooperate with scanners that scan aprintout generated by the respective print device and checks itsquality. A corresponding system in which a barcode reading device (laserscanner), an MICR reading device for magnetizable toner (MICR stands formagnetic ink character recognition), and a digital optoelectric camera(CCD) is provided to check the print quality is, for example, specifiedin the U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,967 A. The content of this patent is likewiseincluded by reference in the present specification.

[0081] In what is known as the resource manager 40 of the monitoringsystem a component is provided in which the production planning as wellas the warehouse management can be handled. New print jobs can therebybe planned and generated (in particular in the running print operation)in which the current print devices in use and their production progressare incorporated into the production planning.

[0082] The databank manager 43 controls the delivery of checkinformation, job information, etc. to the databank 7 b.

[0083] All components (managers) of the monitoring system 7 areconnected among one another via an I/O module with graphical userinterface 41, as well as with the remaining components of the documentproduction system 1. A report module 42 serves to generate histories,reports and printouts. Such histories and reports can be generated fromthe databank 8 and are transferred via an application program interface(API) to application programs such as, for example, the programMicrosoft Excel®, and/or printed out via a separate printer (not shown)directly connected to the monitoring system 7. The data export via theAPI interface enables only read access to the databank 7 b. Data of thedatabank 7 b, in particular the protocol file, can be rerecorded in anarchive, for example in a CD-ROM writing device for long-term archivingon CD-ROM. The archiving of the protocol file 10 thereby has theadvantage, with regard to the archiving of the entire monitoring file,that only archive-relevant data for production and/or quality assurancemust be stored, and thus a relatively smaller data volume on the CD-ROMis sufficient. All previously specified managers (see FIG. 2) provideoperation data and monitoring data for the protocol file 10 for thispurpose.

[0084] In FIG. 3, four basic stages are shown to process document datain a document processing system with attached print system. In a firstphase “generation”, document data are generated or read into thedocument data system. This can in three different manners, namely on theone hand via generation of a document with an application software(third party software), for example via a word processing system, agraphic image generation system, an office scanner that scans paperdocuments, or the like. On the other hand (legacy application), existingdocument data can exist in the form of an AFP data stream (AFPapplication) or a format not specified further (legacy application). Ina second processing stage “preparation”, the respective data areprocessed for the respective output steps (distribution printing). Forthis, a control program (SPS) serves that controls the three processingstages “preparation”, “distribution” and “printing”, adjusted among oneanother in the form of a production process. It comprises the threemodules for the three processing stages. In the first module, theprocessing module 45 (SPS-CIS), the input data streams are normalized toa uniform format (AFP), the data are indexed, augmented with controldata, resource data are generated, a resorting/consolidation of the datastream are effected, and finally the data streams areoutput-specifically segmented, such that the subsequent processingstages (distribution, printing) can be implemented with higher speed.

[0085] In the processing stage “distribution”, a distribution module“SPS-Rooter” 80 serves to distribute the print data to various outputchannels. With the distribution module 80, the data can be alternativelysupplied to systems for electronic transmission (for example per e-mail)in an e-commerce module 81, to a display module (online browsing) 82, toan archiving system 83, or to print production systems 84 a, 84 b, 84 c.In particular, special print systems can thereby be used for output ofthe print data in a network (in particular a network of print devicesconnected via a network) 84 c or via a local central print system 84 blocated at a specific site. The process stages of the processing, thedistribution and (as the case may be) of the printing are monitored bymonitoring modules 87 c.

[0086] In FIG. 4, the document data processing steps provided by theprocessing module 45 (SPS-CIS) are shown as an overview. Print data areimported in the form of S/370 line data (block 85 a) from an unspecifiedapplication program 85 (legacy application program) into the processingmodule 45. An AFP data stream 86 a is correspondingly transmitted froman AFP application program 86. In this case, a resource library 49 isregularly assumed that comprises resources (overlays etc.) according tothe advanced function presentation specification. The documentprocessing events in the processing module 45 are controlled withparameters 87 that can be read in or input from the outside into thesystem.

[0087] Five files are generated with the processing module 45 in which,respectively, the results of the processing are combined. In a firstfile group, index data 47, resource data 48 as well as document data 49are filed in a production-adapted data stream format (MO: DCA-P) Thesedata are chained with one another in a chaining event 88 and form aprocessed document data stream 89 that can be transmitted to the outputsystems, for example to the archive system 83. From the archive system83, various queries to the system are presented to the system, via whicheither the processed print data stream 89 and/or separate data areretrieved, such as the index data 47, the resource data 48, or severalof the partially processed document data 49.

[0088] Furthermore, an extraction file 100 and a statistic file 101(summary file) are formed with the processing module 45, controlled bythe parameters 87. Predetermined data of a document, a mail piece, asheet or a page are stored in the extraction file 100 together with therespective identification data of the corresponding data unit (document,mail piece, sheet or page).

[0089] Statistic specifications about the overall print data stream of ajob, for example the number of the pages of a document, are stored inthe statistic file 101, likewise controlled via the parameters 87.

[0090] In FIG. 5, the process flow is shown which runs within theprocessing module 45 (SPS-CIS) in the course of the normalizationprocess and of the conversion process. Input data streams 85 a, 86 a, 49are thereby respectively examined in a step 110, and the controlinformation thereby found are stored in an input variable file. Via thestorage of the input variables, at any time the characteristic of theoriginal input print data stream can be reproduced or established by theprocessing system 45, independent of whether data were selected,introduced and/or removed in the further processing stages. This isvalid both for document data and in particular for control data.

[0091] In step 111, those data are selected from the data stream thatare necessary for processing of the entire job. Given this type of therange selection, it can be differentiated between direct document ranges(for example mail pieces numbers 501 through 1499 and number 601 through2000) and (on the other hand) a values selection, for example aselection using absolute page numbers that comprise a typically opendocument range. Furthermore, missing resources are sought in resourcelibraries and are read into the processing system in order to supplythese data to the output-side resource file 48 (selection on demand).

[0092] In the subsequent normalization step 112, the input data aretransformed into a uniform, system-default data format and into auniform syntax. This event is also controlled via the control parameterdeposited in the parameter storage 87 a. In a step 113, any indices thatare already comprised in the input data streams 85 a or 86 a arebuffered. In step 114, parameters are stored and any indices areselected that are still necessary for later data output or dataprocessing steps. Via the introduction of indices in simple,unstructured S/370 line data, a hierarchically structured data streamcorresponding to the AFP standard is achieved, via which each documentis structured. This is the condition for the subsequent functionsimplemented in the control module 45, such as data extension, sorting,segmentation and so forth.

[0093] A further selection step that can be effected on input print datais the selection of documents using their index contents (index rangeselection). Only such document data whose index specifications liewithin the selected index range are thereby further processed. All otherdocument data are not further processed and are not adopted into theoutput-side document file 49 of the processing system 45.

[0094] In the processing step 115, any data parameter that is no longernecessary for the further processing stages are controlled are removed(removal) from the complete data, which comprise both the variable data85 a, 86 a and resource data 49. Via this data reduction, in particularsuch data that are overloaded with many unnecessary control data aresubstantially reduced, such that the subsequent processing steps can beless elaborate and thus performed more quickly.

[0095] Resource data that occur repeatedly (for example within an MO:DCA-P data stream) are also removed from the data stream in order to berid of redundant information. It is thereby in particular provided toextract inline resources from the data stream and to merge theseresource data with the other (external) resources 49.

[0096] In step 116, the print data are examined with regard to theirrange-by-range size, meaning per print job, per document, per mailpiece, or per sheet. The data are separated and split up into twosub-ranges when they exceed a predetermined maximum size. The split upbuffer files are temporarily transferred into a working storage 55.Subsequently, a resorting of the data stream according to predeterminedsorting rules occurs in step 117. In step 118, all system-internalvariables are stored as output-side variables, or their values (forexample document numbers, mail piece numbers, total page number and soforth) are updated.

[0097] The splitting of the data stream according to the method step 116is advantageous under the following document production situations:

[0098] During a job planning (job scheduling), in particular when mailpieces should be selected or excluded due to their size, for examplebecause an inserter device or a stitcher can only process a maximumnumber of sheets per mail piece or document.

[0099] during reproduction events, when specific documents, mail pieces,or sheets must be newly printed (for example because a subsequentprocessing step such as the printing was incorrect), and a new barcodecontrol information must be introduced in order to differentiate thereproduced document from the first incorrectly printed document, and tobe able to correctly insert the reproduced document into the productionflow.

[0100] during test phases or monitoring check events, when accidentallyelected pages should be processed.

[0101] The specification of the selected partial measurement in theprocessing step 116 occurs in particular via specification of a maximumnumber of sheets that may be received by a specific range of thedocument data stream (document, mail piece, sheet or page). Typicallyparameters are specified here via maximum sheet numbers. However, theseparameters can also additionally be controlled depending on the type ofsheet (for example the paper weight given individual sheets), such thatthe selection of the work packages is optimally adapted to thesubsequent system parameters.

[0102] In the step 119, the processing system 45 additionally insertsdata into the data stream. In particular, barcodes are thereby directlyinserted into the document data that are permanently connected with thedocument and, as the case may be, are also printed out. The barcode dataof a data section (document, mail piece, sheet, job) are in particularrespectively printed on the first page and on the last page of thecorresponding section. Additionally, an empty page can respectively beinserted at the beginning and/or at the end of the section, on whichthis barcode and/or additional specifications for the respective sectionare printed in plain text.

[0103] These additional data serve in particular to monitor the printproduction process and/or for the control of subsequent method flows ordevices. In addition to barcode structures (BCOCA), text blockstructures (PTOCA), indexing information or other, suitable control intocan also be inserted. The insertion can occur on all different documentancillaries (page, sheet, mail piece or document). User-definedcharacters as well as system-internal variables can also be introducedinto this process and used to insert the control data. Via the insertionof the control data, the subsequent production flow can be optimized,because the inserted data are exactly adjusted to the subsequent processor the devices involved therein.

[0104] Controlled via parameters in processing step 120, data arefiltered out of the data stream (data extraction) that are necessary forspecific further processings. Via the generation of an extraction file100, these data are made available optimized for access, because theextraction file 100 has a comparably smaller extent. These data cantherefore be used for real-time checking of all involved devices in theentire production system 1.

[0105] In the steps 121 and 122, current index data are generated, theresources required for the print job are packed, and the respective dataare stored in files 47, 48.

[0106] The segmentation step 123 serves to segment, controlled byparameters, the remaining document data, for example to form segments ofa maximum of 1000 sheets. These segments are closely linked with thecontrol data (barcodes) that are inserted in step 119, such that eachsegment respectively comprises barcode data at the beginning and at theend for printing. In particular the manual further processing insubsequent process devices can hereby be supported, because the barcodesare reliably readable at the beginning and at the end of the stack(print stock 23).

[0107] The document files 49 are formed and stored in step 124. Finally,a data analysis 125 runs parallel to all processes. All data requiredfor static purposes are thereby picked and a statistic file (summaryfile) 101 is formed.

[0108] In FIG. 6, software system components and their functionalcooperation (as well as files thereby generated) are shown that affectthe method flow shown in FIG. 5 or, respectively, the changes to thedocument data shown there. The method and the system componentspreferably run on the processing computer (file server) 4, however, theycan also run on another computer such as, for example, on the hostcomputer 3 or on the monitoring computer 7 a.

[0109] An input print data stream 50 is thereby first classified in aprimary data stream 51 and an external resource data stream 54. Theprimary data stream 51 comprises variable print data 52 (print reportdata) and integrated resource data 53 (inline resources), while theexternal resource data stream 54 merely comprises external resources.

[0110] The input print data, as well as job-specific job parameter data55 (block “job parameters), are read via a logical interface 56 (LI)into the conversion, indexing and sorting system 57 (CIS). The logicalinterface 56 thereby works as a superordinate process control thatmonitors, releases and (in case of need) blocks the various individualprocesses. The logical interface 56 comprises for this a row ofsub-modules that are shown at the bottom in FIG. 6, namely a module ofthe process control (threat management, TM), a module for control ofevents (event handling, EV), a module for coordination of the storageaccess of various processes (lock management, LK), a storage managementmodule (SM), a non-system-specific interface management module (LM), amodule for control of status information (trace facility, TR). Thelogical interface 56 is thereby designed system-specific, meaningadapted to the superordinate operating system such as MVS, BS 2000, UNIXor Windows NT. The remaining system components shown in FIG. 6 areoperating system-independent, such that a simple change from a firstoperating system to a second operating system is possible via adaptationof the logical interface 56.

[0111] An import module 58 “im_PdsData” serves to import an incomingprint data stream. The read-in data are processed in an inputtransformation module 59, whereby the variable data 52 are firstfiltered in a process 59 a, are normalized in process 59 b (controlledvia the job-specific parameter 55 provided by the job processor 60) toan internal AFP data format, and finally are transferred to the pageprocessing module 61 (page manager).

[0112] The values of all parameters that are required for normalization,indexing, sorting and converting the print data stream are comprised inthe job parameters 55. Via the process data supplied from the jobprocessor 60 to the input transformation module 59, all items ofinformation in the system are known that are required for the indexingof the primary data stream—insofar as these are not already indexed onthe input side—and that are required for sorting the primary data stream52.

[0113] During the normalization of the variable data 52 in the process59 b, already existing index information—in particular given primarydata that already exist in the AFP print data format—are identified andprepared, in order to be able to generate a sorting table 63.

[0114] In the course of the normalization in the processing process 59b, primary data that do not already exist in the AFP print data format(for example S/370 line data) are translated (converted) into the printdata format AFP, and index information are inserted into the AFP printdata format corresponding to the parameter values provided by the jobprocessor 60. This index information is later likewise used to assemblethe sorting table 63 from the page processing module 61.

[0115] In the course of the normalization process 58 b, it is alsoestablished which resources are associated with the primary print datastream 52, and a corresponding normalization process is started in step59 b for the corresponding resources via notification via the resourceprocessing unit 62. Each resource—for example character sets, watermarks(overlays) or page segments—which is required in the primary data streamthereby effects a normalization process of the corresponding resource.The entire system is thereby designed as a multi-process system, suchthat both the normalization of the primary data stream and the parallel(simultaneous) normalization of a plurality of resource data can occur.Each required resource data set is thereby normalized independent of theother resource data sets, and namely, respectively only once,independent of how often the corresponding data of the resource data setare required in the primary data of a print job (job).

[0116] It can thereby be specified in the job parameter data 55 whichexternal resource data 54 (resource data library) are required for therespective print job.

[0117] The resource data normalized in the process step 59 c aresupplied via the resource manager module 64 and the page processingmodule 61 (page manager) directly to the AFP conversion process 59 d,and stored via the logical interface 56 in the resource file 48 as afinished resource print data stream 71 (out resource data).

[0118] The primary data normalized in step 59 b are buffered in atemporary data storage 66 (for example random access memory, RAM) viathe page processing module 61, a stock removal module 65 (outwork data),and the logical interface 56. The associated information about theposition of the buffered data relative to other data (page, sheet ordocument) is stored in the temporary data storage and is additionallylodged as a corresponding entry in the sorting table 63. The pageprocessing module 61 thereby assumes a central control and coordinationtask for the association, buffering and sorting of the primary variabledata.

[0119] The sorting according to the requirements of the sortingparameters of the job ensues then via the sorting module 67 using thesorting table 63 and under agency of the page processing module 61.

[0120] The variable data can be simply located in the sorting table viathe entries, after the sorting event has been implemented.

[0121] The sorting process in the sorting module 67 first begins afterall variable data of the primary data stream 52 belonging to a print job(job) have been normalized, and as well all resource data required forthe print job were correspondingly processed. At this point in time, allresource data are already stored in the resource file 48 and allvariable print data are stored in the buffer 66.

[0122] The sorting process in the sorting module 67 can be implementedas a storage-innate table sorting event within the sorting table 63. Thenew sorting sequence is determined via the sorting algorithm and via thecontents of the index entries which are used for sorting. The variableprint data store in the buffer 66 can thus remain completely untouchedduring the sorting event.

[0123] As soon as the sorting event is ended, the print data arerecalled from the buffer 66 via the page processing module 61, wherebythe retrieval sequence is implemented on the basis of the new sortingsequence in the sorting table 63. In this manner, pages, sheets anddocuments are retrieved from the buffer 66 corresponding to the newsorting sequence, forwarded via the page processing module 61 to theconversion stage 59 d to generate the output print data stream 72 (outdocument data) and for filing in the document file 49. Finally, a newindex data stream 70 (out index data) is also generated via the pageprocessing module 61 from the sorting table 63, and this is filed in theindex file 47. Offset values and positions of the index data in theindex file 47 correspond to the offset values and positions of the datain the document file 49.

[0124] A function stage is switched between the page manager 91 and theoutput conversion step 49 d that comprises the following sub-modules:

[0125] With a data expansion module, additional data (information) canbe added to the output print data stream that were previously notcomprised in the print data stream. This function stage can optionallybe invoked, meaning depending on predetermined job parameters thefollowing additional information can be inserted:

[0126] special, AFP-specific information that further improve the dataflow

[0127] customer-specific information (data inserter) such as barcodeobjects (BCOCA), text attributes (PTOCA) and index tags.

[0128] The function stage 95 thus comprises a plurality of modules thatrespectively run separate from one another and that executecorresponding method steps which were shown in FIG. 5. Among these are adocument improvement module via which data are inserted or removed,modules for insertion of control data (barcodes BCOCA, texts PTOCA ortag control information TLE). Furthermore, it comprises a segmentationmodule as well as a data analysis module. Finally, it also comprises agenerator for a barcode list that forms a list file corresponding to thegenerated barcodes. This list file is in particular used by themonitoring module 7, as is also explained in detail using FIG. 8.

[0129] On the output side, the document files 49 are separated from oneanother segment by segment, such that a segment by segment processing ina post-processing device (print device), or also distributed to variousprint systems, can occur.

[0130]FIG. 7 shows a typical work flow in a document data processingsystem. Document data are thereby generated on the user network 15,supplied to the processing system 4, and output on an output device 6.To generate the input data, various generation programs (download, wordprocessing system, etc.) can be used. The respectively generated files131 of various formats are supplied to a print job processing system 132that generates a job ticket 133, and the remaining data are respectivelysupplied to suitable data processing systems, in particular filterprograms 134, a data conversion module 135 and/or a data storage module136, which stores the data in various files, for example in a buffer 137or in an archive system 83. The job ticket 133 generated by the printjob system 132 comprises diverse parameters that specify all processesin order to execute the appertaining job in the processing system 4. Ajob thus comprises a set of document data and the data of a job ticket133. This job ticket 133 is supplied to a job monitoring system (ODS,order distribution system) 138 which controls and monitors the processesrunning on the processing computer 4.

[0131] The job monitoring system 138 identifies the parameters withinthe job ticket and monitors each running process in the processingsystem 4 independent of where the respective data are physically,directly stored within the system. It is thereby possible to distributethe process flow of the processing system 4 over a plurality ofdifferent physical units (for example personal computer). Each processis specified via input and output data. The job monitoring system 138provides for the proper input and the proper output of these files.

[0132] After the data are filtered, processed and/or, depending on therequirement converted into new formats such as IOCA or TIFF, they aresubsequently supplied to output systems 140 such as a display program, astorage, a spooling system 141 or printers 6.

[0133] In FIG. 8, the work flows and associated system components withwhich a print job is processed are shown. The print data 130 generatedon the network 13 are processed in the processing system 4 with theprocessing components 45 (compare FIGS. 4-6). The data extract file 100,the statistic file 101 and the barcode file 102 are thereby formed. Fromthe barcode file 102, the monitoring system means of the system manager36 or a conversion module 150 invoked therefrom generates a nominal listthat is stored in the monitoring system 7. Using this nominal list, theoverall process of the printer can continuously be monitored via allinvolved devices (print server 16, printer 6 and, as the case may be,post-processing device 22). The respective production steps can thus bemonitored device by device in real time, and an error notification orinterference possibility can be immediately realized in order to controlthe print process. As already specified for the previous figures, thecontrol information (barcodes) are not only processed in the nominallist 150, but rather these are also added to the output print datastream 88, such that they are also printed on the respective documents.This enables in turn the scanning of the control information (barcodes)from the document by means of barcode scanner and the monitoring of theactual printed document via the monitoring system 7.

[0134] A fully automatic reproduction event is shown in FIG. 9. As soonas the system manager determines in the monitoring system 7 that in theprint production process a document is not processed or is processedonly incorrectly, in particular because a document that is recorded inthe nominal list is not detected on a system, the system manager 36generates a corresponding entry in the error list 152 that is valid forthis document or for this mail piece or for this page. The systemmanager 36 then invokes the reprint manager 37 that controls thereproduction. From the entries of the error list 152, it generates bymeans of the converter module what is known as a reprint job ticket OCT.After this, the reprint manager invokes in a step 154 the print jobmanager 132 that in turn generates a system-internal print job ticket133 a and transmits this to the order distribution system 138 andinitiates the generation of a new reproduction data stream 88 a.

[0135] The processing module 45 therefore cooperates with the print filemanager 136 that newly extracts the requested data from the buffer 137and supplies this data to the processing module 45. There new controldata (barcodes) are again added to the data stream that identify thereproduced document, and additionally comprise an entry from which it ismade clear that these data are part of a reproduction job. Moreover, theprocessing system 45 also stores these new reproduction data in thebarcode file 102, from which in turn a corresponding updated entry isformed in the nominal list 151. The reproduction jobs can thereby alsobe monitored fully automatically in the system, and with high security.

[0136] Finally, the thusly generated reproduction data 88 a are in turnoutput to the print server 16, that from this data stream generates adata stream directly readable by the printer 6 (for example in theIntelligent Print Datastream Format IPDS), and transmits this to theprint device 6.

[0137] It is shown in FIG. 10 how, using the processing module 45, aresorted output data stream 161 is formed in step 117 from an input datastream 160. The goal of this sorting is to generate in the output datastream the three mail pieces 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, in which respectivebelonging documents that should be shipped to one and the same addresseeare combined together in a letter envelop and supplied for mailing.

[0138] The first document 1 a (which comprises two pages) shouldthereby, for example, be merged with the second document 2 a (whichlikewise comprises two pages) into one mail piece 3 a. The mergingoccurs according to the criterion that name and address must coincide inthe respective address fields of the documents. The resorting therebyoccurs as specified in FIG. 5. Further details of such a resorting arealso cited in WO 01/77807 cited above, and are specified there inparticular in connection with FIG. 6.

[0139]FIG. 11 shows how a document tracking or document search is alsopossible with the system. In the course of the preprocessing of printdata on the processing computer 4, the necessary information for thetracking of documents (indexing data, nominal lists and jobinformation), as well as the association of the mailings/documents withthe user-defined characteristics, is thereby made available in a jobfile. These data are transmitted in the monitoring computer 7 to acentral document service module 171. This module stores the data, inparticular in a databank 7 b on a special databank server 7 a to whichthe system manager 36 also has access. Via this networking of thecomponents, it is possible that, from every application computer 12 onwhich a corresponding document client 172 runs, the correspondingdocument data can be retrieved at any time and the current document canbe localized and/or displayed. For each document, in particular thefollowing data can be stored: processing datum in the documentproduction system, job name, mailing number, page number, reproductionnumber, name, billing number, postal code of the addressee, and soforth.

[0140] The document client 172 is a dialog application with which thesearch for documents is possible and the results can be displayed. FIG.18 shows a corresponding interactive display window 195.

[0141] It is shown in FIG. 12 which data the document service exchangeswith the other participating components of the print preprocessing 170,the application program 172, and the system manager 36. It is thecentral recording and distribution point for all information concerningthe document search.

[0142] In FIG. 13 a menu structure is shown that is displayed in one ofthe barcode readers 11 a, 11 b. From the main menu 176, sub-menus can beinvoked with which control commands can be planted on the documentprocessing system 1. In addition to the confirmation of a currently readbarcode from the menu 177, the direct control commands 178 also serve toscan and confirm an incorrect mailing, as well as the menu items 179(process mailing) via which, for example, a reproduction of a mailingcan be requested, and 180 (record stack), via the beginning and/or endof a stack can be scanned or recorded, as well as the menu 181, viawhich a cover sheet can be printed out for a mailing, a document or thelike.

[0143] In FIG. 14, the structure of the monitoring system 7 is shownagain, in which various processes such as the system manager, reprintmanager, print manager and device manager run. These processes caneither run together on a computer or are also distributed on variouscomputer systems. However, they are functionally coupled, such that dataof the one system can be retrieved at any time by another system. Inparticular the central administration of the data in the databank system7 a (that, for example, can be designed as an SQL server system) servesfor this.

[0144] The I/O module with graphical user interface 41 (see FIG. 2) thatruns on the monitoring system 7 can comprise a graphical representationof all device components of the document production system 1. Viaselection of a device, it can receive diverse status information of thisdevice, as well as information for all print jobs currently queued onthis device. Via the mutual integration, all participating components onthe server 7 or the databank structure 7 a are to be read directly intoanother module or to be accepted therein, even when the data areprimarily administered by another module.

[0145]FIG. 15 shows an example in which data of the device manager 35can be directly retrieved from the system manager 36. In a job ID field165, identification data of the current job processing on this deviceare thereby shown. In the job data field 186, relevant data such asextent, type, start, time and responsible person are shown, and in thedevice data field 187 current static data about the selected device areshown.

[0146]FIG. 16 shows an example in which various components of theoverall system designated with PRISMAaudit cooperate. In particular, forthe individual components reference is made to FIGS. 1, 2 and 15.

[0147] In the shown example, modules of the device manager DM arearranged in the client computer 12 that respectively comprise graphicaluser interfaces GUI as they were typically specified in connection withFIG. 15. The assembly group monitoring computer 7 comprises variousshown modules of the system manager SM. The connection between theclient computer 12 and the monitoring computer 7 is established with theaid of the monitoring computer 7 a via the databank 7 b.

[0148] To configure the system shown in FIG. 16 and for functional flow,reference is made to the following work flows A1 through A5. Accordingto the work flows A1 and A2, the device manager modules DM in the clientcomputer 12, as well as the system manager modules SM, arecomputer-technically configured for the tracking points in themonitoring computer 7 with the same name. According to the work flows A3and A4, the initialization for jobs occurs via the system managermodules SM. The tracking of the jobs at the various workstations alsooccurs via the SM modules. The data about the progress of the jobs arestored via the databank server 7 a in the databank 7 b. According to thework flow A5, the data determined by the system manager modules SM ofthe monitoring computer 7 are shown via the device manager modules DM inthe client computer 12 at various tracking points on the graphical userinterface (GUI). Furthermore, the user is informed about the progress ofthe respective job. In the shown example, a user can reproduce on theclient computer 12 the data depicting the production process, and isthus completely informed about the current state of the complexproduction process.

[0149] The stop function, which is transmitted by the system manager orreprint manager to print post-processing devices such as inserters whena mailing or a document appears at the inserter that was alreadyprocessed at the same or at another inserter, is again specified in FIG.17. In FIG. 17, three inserter devices 190 a, 190 b, and 190 c areequipped with respective barcode recording devices 191 a, 191 b, 191 c.The barcode recording devices respectively record for processing queuedmailings or documents and notify this result to the monitoring computer7. In this, it is checked using the databank 7 b whether the mailing orthe document was already added to an inserter. Such cases can then occurwhen mailings have undergone a reproduction event (reprint) and themisprints were not properly remedied in preceding process stages. Inthese cases, the monitoring computer 7 transmits a stop signal to thecorresponding inserter as well as a notification “stop via monitoringcomputer due to doubling”. Via this notice, the user can recognize thatthe currently queued mailing was already processed, and she canfurthermore withdraw this processing state, so that the mailing is notmailed twice. Such selected mailings can in turn be recorded with a handbarcode reader and be characterized as selected, such that suchproduction steps are also recorded in the production monitoring system.A work flow on a cutting and inserting system can accordingly bespecified as follows:

[0150] 1. The operator inserts the printed paper into the cutting andinserting system.

[0151] 2. The operator operates a reading device that is attached to thecutting device. Due to the printed job number, a corresponding releaserequest is directed to the monitoring computer. When the correspondingjob can be processed, the monitoring computer issues a release for arange of mailing numbers.

[0152] 3. the cutting and inserting system is switched to an operatingmode “automatic” and the system is started. The computer (client) builtinto the cutting and inserting system checks for each processed mailingnumber whether the printed job number coincides with the number rangepreviously released by the monitoring computer. If it is determined thata printed mailing number lies outside of the released range, the cuttingand inserting system is stopped and a corresponding error notice isoutput.

[0153] 4. For each processed mailing, the processing result is enteredinto a result file. The entry occurs as soon as the mailing leaves thecutting and inserting system or an output tray has been reached.

[0154] 5. The inserting results are transmitted to the reprint managerof the monitoring computer in the form of a result file. This resultfile is limited by the number of the identified markings (mailings) oris time-controlled. Also, given the identification of a new job a datatermination is effected. Each check point provides its own result file.

[0155] To prevent double insertions, in particular given simultaneousprocessing of split jobs at various check points (cutting and insertingsystems), the corresponding system can be stopped via a stop command(that is generated in the reprint manager) with corresponding errornotification on the control panel.

[0156] Exemplary embodiments were specified. It is thereby clear thatfurther developments and modifications by the average man skilled in theart can easily be specified. The system is in particular suitable to berealized as a computer program (software). It can thus be disseminatedas a computer program module as a file on a data medium such as adiskette or CD-ROM, or as a file via a data or a communication network.Such comparable computer program products or computer program elementsare possible embodiments. The process can be applied in a computer, in aprint device, or in a print system with upstream or downstream dataprocessing devices. It is thereby clear that corresponding computers onwhich the system is applied can comprise further known technical devicessuch as input means (keyboard, mouse, touchscreen), a microprocessor, adata or control bus, a display device (monitor, display), as well as aworking storage, a fixed disk storage, and a network card.

[0157] While a preferred embodiment has been illustrated and describedin detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the invention both now or in the future are desired to beprotected.

1-12. (Cancelled).
 13. A method for processing document data in adocument processing system that comprises at least a document generationcomputer, a document processing computer, an electronic document outputsystem, and a monitoring computer, comprising the steps of: generatingdocument data on the document generation computer with a documentgeneration module; transmitting the document data from the documentgeneration computer to the processing computer and processing thedocument data there; to optimize control of a subsequent data output,adding control data to the transmitted document data in the processingcomputer with a processing module, and additionally storing the controldata in a control data buffer file; and forwarding the processed data toan output system for output of the documents.
 14. The method accordingto claim 13 wherein in the processing computer data are extracted fromthe document data according to predetermined rules and these data arestored in an extraction file.
 15. The method according to claim 13wherein the document data in the processing computer are analyzedaccording to predetermined analysis parameters, and an analysis file isformed and stored.
 16. The method according to claim 13 wherein thecontrol data comprise at least one of a barcode object, a text object,and segmentation data with which a print job can be separated into aplurality of divisible job segments.
 17. The method according to claim13 wherein the document output system comprises a high-capacity printingsystem and the control data comprise segmentation data.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 17 wherein the segmentation information comprises anitem of barcode information, an item of text information, and a completeextra page via which two successive job segments can be separated fromone another.
 19. The method according to claim 13 wherein a sequence ofthe document data in the processing computer is resorted according topredetermined sorting parameters.
 20. The method according to claim 13wherein at least one of a quantity and a type of the added control datais selected by means of a setting module.
 21. A document data processingsystem, comprising: at least a document generation computer, a documentprocessing computer, an electronic document output system, and amonitoring computer; a document generation module for generatingdocument data in the document generation computer; the documentgeneration computer transmitting the document data to the processingcomputer which further processes the document data; the electronicdocument output system receiving the processed data and for outputtingdocuments; in the processing computer, a processing module with whichcontrol data is added to the document data to optimize a control ofsubsequent document output; and a control data buffer file in which thecontrol data is additionally stored.
 22. The document data processingsystem according to claim 21 wherein in the processing computer, dataare extracted from the document data according to predetermined rulesand these data are stored in an extraction file.
 23. A computer programproduct for processing a document data stream on a document processingsystem that comprises at least a document generation computer, adocument processing computer, an electronic document output system, anda monitoring computer, the program product performing the functions of:transmitting document data generated on the document generation computerby means of a document generation module to the processing computerwhere document data is to be processed; in the processing computer,adding control data to the document data by means of a processing moduleto optimize control of the subsequent document output, and additionallystoring the control data in a control data buffer file; and forwardingthe processed data to the output system for output of the documents. 24.A method for processing document data in a document processing systemthat comprises at least a document generation computer, a documentprocessing computer, an electronic document output system, and amonitoring computer, comprising the steps of: generating document dataon the document generation computer; transmitting the document data fromthe document generation computer to the processing computer; to optimizecontrol of a subsequent data output, adding control data to thetransmitted document data in the processing computer; and forwarding theprocessed data to an output system.
 25. A document data processingsystem, comprising: at least a document generation computer, a documentprocessing computer, an electronic document output system, and amonitoring computer; the document generation computer generatingdocument data and transmitting the document data to the processingcomputer; the processing computer adding control data to the documentdata to optimize a control of subsequent document output; and theelectronic document output system receiving the process data.